A lonely woman rejected by her village. A mysterious craftsman capable of creating the impossible. And a husband unlike any man who has ever lived. Olivia Colman’s extraordinary new fantasy romance, Wicker, transforms an unusual love story into a wildly entertaining exploration of desire, jealousy, and the dangerous expectations surrounding marriage.

Set in a medieval village where tradition dictates almost every aspect of daily life, Wicker introduces a fiercely independent Fisherwoman, played by Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman, whose unconventional lifestyle has made her an outsider.

Her unkempt appearance, unpleasant smell, and refusal to behave like a respectable village woman invite constant ridicule. In a community where marriage determines a woman’s social standing, her independence is treated less like a strength and more like a personal failure.

But beneath her sharp tongue and outrageous humour lies a woman who longs for something her neighbours barely understand: genuine affection without surrendering her freedom.

And her solution is nothing short of extraordinary.

A HUSBAND CREATED FROM THE IMPOSSIBLE

Determined to find happiness on her own terms, the Fisherwoman approaches a mysterious Basket Weaver, portrayed by Peter Dinklage, with an astonishing request.

She wants him to create a husband entirely from wicker.

Rather than dismissing her unusual wish, the craftsman accepts the challenge and promises that her future husband will be waiting at the chapel within a month.

What follows is a delightfully strange romantic fantasy.

Alexander Skarsgård delivers a surprisingly tender performance as the Wicker Husband, a remarkable creation whose warmth, devotion, and emotional sincerity make him seem more human than many of the village’s ordinary men.

Their wedding immediately challenges the community’s rigid traditions.

Unlike other brides, the Fisherwoman refuses to wear the symbolic metal collar associated with marriage. Her unusual husband makes no attempt to impose that custom.

Instead, their relationship develops around companionship, mutual respect, and an unexpectedly passionate connection.

For the first time, the woman everyone mocked appears genuinely happy.

But her happiness creates a problem nobody anticipated.

ONE UNUSUAL MARRIAGE EXPOSES AN ENTIRE VILLAGE’S SECRETS

As the extraordinary couple grow closer, their seemingly impossible romance begins exposing uncomfortable truths about the marriages surrounding them.

A young Bottlewasher struggles with his inability to satisfy his wife. A Baker and his spouse desperately want a child while their physical relationship has practically disappeared.

Meanwhile, the Tailor’s Wife, played by Elizabeth Debicki, dreams of being recognised as an equal partner rather than simply admired for her appearance.

Suddenly, the Fisherwoman’s unconventional marriage becomes a painful reminder of everything these supposedly respectable couples are missing.

Directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson turn these frustrations into an entertaining mixture of biting comedy, romantic fantasy, and surprisingly sharp social commentary.

The film’s playful medieval setting, colourful characters, and mischievous humour make its criticism of traditional gender roles feel entertaining rather than preachy.

Yet beneath the laughter, a darker emotion begins spreading through the village.

Jealousy.

THE RUMOUR THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

As resentment grows, malicious whispers emerge suggesting that the devoted Wicker Husband may not be as faithful as his wife believes.

For a woman who has spent much of her life facing rejection, the possibility of betrayal strikes at her deepest insecurities.

Her response threatens the extraordinary relationship that once seemed capable of overcoming every social convention.

Colman captures this emotional transformation with remarkable skill, moving effortlessly between outrageous comedy, wounded vulnerability, and explosive anger.

Skarsgård matches her performance with a gentle sincerity that gives their unconventional romance surprising emotional weight.

Although the story occasionally avoids fully confronting its most difficult philosophical question — whether someone created specifically to love another person can truly exercise free will — its central relationship remains compelling.

Supported by Dinklage’s wonderfully understated humour and an eccentric ensemble including Richard E. Grant, Wicker delivers a charming cinematic experience that feels both fantastical and unexpectedly relevant.